Container filling and capping machine



Feb. 26, 1952 A. E. LINDSTROM 8 CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet l F 6. INVENTOR.

ANDREW fiLl/vosrfio/v MUM Feb. 26, 1952 A. E. LINDSTROM CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE Filed May 5. 945

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 /I/VDRE W ,5 LINDSTROM mvw Feb. 26, 1952 A. E. LINDSTROM v 0 CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. fl/VDRLW E. LINDSTROM v 1952 A. E. LINDSTROM 2,587,130

CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1945 '6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

( A. E. LINDSTROM CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE Feb. 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5, 1945 Feb. 26, 1952 A. E. LINDSTROM CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 5, 1945 Patented Feb. 26, 1952 CONTAINER FILLING AND CAPPIN G MACHINE Andrew E. Lindstrom, Larkspur, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to United Metal Seal Company, Dorchester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 5, 1945, Serial No. 592,213

13 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for fillingcontainers and in the present embodiment of the invention, more particularly to a machine of this type arranged for handling relatively easily deformable containers, such as paper cartons having tapering side walls, the machine having as component parts thereof a container dispenser means, a means of supplying contents to the containers, a means of capping the containers after they are filled, and a means for conveying the containers for cooperation with the supplying and the capping means.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described employing a single conveyor unit for moving the containers to the different mechanisms, in which the relationship between the mechanisms and the unit is such that the mechanisms may operate simul-, taneously on different containers on the conveyor line without requiring any lag or variation of the speed of movement of the containers for accommodation with the different operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described in which the containers are caused to move from one operating machanism to another such as for filling and capping, by a conveyor means utilizing rapid reciprocating advancing and recovering movements and acting in cooperation with said mechanisms whereby the operations thereof can be performed completely during the recovery movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor operating to advance the containers by means of reciprocating contact members intermittently and simultaneously engaging all the containers on the line, wherein the movement of the members will be such as to avoid any deflection of the containers from their proper course particularly during the operation of disengagement or reengagement of the members with the containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described capable of being used with extremely light and very easily deformable containers, such as paper cups, in which the conveyor means for advancing the containers from one operating mechanism to another, and control means for such mechanisms, will be so designed to engage the containers that the latter may operate such control means without being deflected out of the proper course or deformed in any manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described in which the various mechanisms, such as for filling and capping the containers, will be held inoperative in case the containers are not present on the means for conveying the containers to such mechanisms or are out of position on such c n.

veying means or with respect to said mechanisms.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for filling containers, embodying container dispensing, filling and capping operations, in which all of the advance movements of the operations are performed through yieldable spring pressure means, with only the return or recovery movements mechanically actuated, whereby stoppages or misalignments of the containers at any point in the operations will effect an overcoming of the relatively yieldable resistance of the advancing stroke means, permitting free mechanical recovery strokes without the possibility of damage to either the containers or the mechanism.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described adapted for use with a container and cap of relatively flexible material, in which the capping operation is performed by utilizing the flexibility of both the cap and the body of the container, but in such manner as to avoid imposing any undue strain on or permanently deforming any portion of the cap or body, and without danger of crushing the contents or forcing portions thereof through the joint between the body and cap when the capping operation is performed with the body substantially completely filled.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in t e following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accomanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood. however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the filling machine of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine as viewed from the left in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of the machine, showing the container feed track, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, taken on the line 55 of Figure 2, and showing the mechani m for actuating the container conveyor.

Figure 6 is a front view of the portion of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the capping mechanism of the machine.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the capping mechanism taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figures 9 to 12 inclusive are fragmentary'views similar to Figure 8, but showing the parts in progressive different positions of the capping operation.

Figure 13 "is a vertical-sectional view of the capper plunger unit taken at right angles to Figure 8.

Figure 14 is a bottom view of the. unit shownin Figure 13.

Figures 15 and 16 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views of the capper-plungen mechanisms. as viewed in Figure 13 but in difierentoperative.

positions.

As shown in the drawings, the machine in general includes a means I6 ior-dispensinggcon tainer bodies A, a mechanism I! for filling the containers, a capping mechanism 18 for the filled containers, and a means-J9 for conveying the containenbodies successively to thefilling and.

capping :mechanisms... The container dispensing means andsfilling and capping mechanisms are mounted-Una main frame Zilwhich; also; supports. the conveying.-means.-: Theframellil: is here. shownin the form of fa table having: a; top :2 i.

and supporting legs 222,:the :conveycr:meansand;

the pcrt-io'ns 10f the dispensingflmeans and I the filling and: capping-inechanismssin direct:.-. 00-. operative=re1aticn with the conveyor means being.

disposed at what may-be termed the front. side ofi-.the:-table and: adjacent the top 2!; As will be clean-from Figure -l; the conveyor means :89.

extends-=for-=substantially the full width of the frame 20, the dispenser mechanism being disposed at'the =right side', the'capper mechanism at the lef-tz while the filling mechanism is interposed between such mechanisms.'

Included as a part of the conveyor means is a track 23 preferably 1 comprising; spaced rails 2 which-forma support for the container bodies and over which they are guided-and advanced to the--difierent mechanisms in operative relation thereto, the bodies being primarily deposited upon the-track one at a time from the dispenser H5; The-dispenser here illustrated comprises a means of-suppor-ting direc-tly over the track 23 a vertical columnof bodies innestedrelation and with the op en=side-uppermost, the bodies being stacked andguidedloetween posts 25 which are mounted onanopen-base 25 held. in spaced relation over thetrack-by astandard 2T.- Carried by the base are'a plurality of spring arms 28 designed to engage under the-rim or-otl'ler suitable portion ,of the-lowermost body in the stack so as to support suchibody and the bodies ,thereabove, Intermittentrelease of the bodies as required in the pp.- eration of the machine is efiected by means of a pairotppposedpawls mounted for. vertical reciprocation and arranged on the. ascending.

movement to .be elevatedover and upon. the rim of the lowest body, so thatupon the subsequent descent of thespawls. the bodyw-ill be released from. engagementwith the spring holding arms and deposited .uponthe track. The-.pawlsare piv- V otally carried on a link. 3 l, in turn carried by a lever 32 connected to a shaft 33 for working intimed operative relation withthe 1' rest of the mechanism of the-machine:

Extending; longitudinally of the track is guide railsi-3 mwhiclr is; preferably fixed in position: along the outer side of the trackand in upwardly spaced relationathereto so 35 130 engagethe sides ofbodies A when disposed upon the track; Rail as: as IIBIBEShOWIl? extends for the-full length of the trackfand -isdesigned to retain the bodies against outward transverse displacement on the trackas they are advanced "therea'long for cooperation withctliezfillin'g .and capping mechanisms.

4 Means are provided for guiding the container bodies. on the: track against::'imvard transverse displacement, and in the present embodiment such means are incorporated with means for ,adv-ancing the bodies along the track for cooperation v,wi.tl1,, the ,different mechanisms. As here shown, included as part of the foregoing, is rail 35 arranged for positioning along the inner side:=of-:theitrachvanddn parallel relation to the railniii The rail'36zcis movable transversely relative-to rail 34 and in inward position provides therewitha'guiding means with which the bodies engageat opposite. sides in their movement from the dispenser to the filling and capping mecha- .nisms. Movement of the rail 36 is designed to efiect advance of the bodies to operative positionrelative to such mechanisms, with intermittent periods of ;re st:;wh ile ;the bodiesyare so dis posed and ofzaduration sufiicient to permit the completevfilling and capping;: o erations, ondiff.

ferent bodies. on thetrack.

In aecordance wwith the foregoing; there are provided 1 means .,for; reclplonating the rail: 36;; longitudinally of; the;rtrack,aand ;means-on the rail for;;engaging,.;the ;re ar :pQ itions .Ofa. the several bcldies; that {185131181 unfi1led,-.; the filled,: and. the-1v filled: and-capped; on the Y track; the; operationbeing such that said body engagingv means:.-. will be held: in operatiye- -engagement :with the=bodies during; the advance-v-movement :of: the; rail, but

wilbes retracted transversely out; of such-engage! mentvonithe recovery movement otthe-rail; The means. of: engagement. :of'the -ra-il"w-ith: the -rear portionfofrthe bodies is here-shown: in thezform offingers 31Jfixed tothe; rail'andzextending transversely therefrom toward the -rail 34-.- Fingers 31 l are spaced apart-i a: distance somewhat :in excess of the width of the bodiesuand. arranged in the inw-ard positioning: of the rail '3 6 to. extend to a point preferably short of the center. of the rear side of: the bodies. As will be-clear, thefingers 31- Willserveto push' the bodiesindividually on the track and since thespacing of the'fingers exceed the w-idth of the bodies, contact between the bodies will beavoidedt This is important particularly in-respect tothe empty bodies, since'the latter are usually tapered andso light that'contact between the bodies with any appreciable force will likely result in causing them to be tilted or moved to an improper position.

Forreciprocation of the rail and-for movement transversely, therail is here shown mounted on a lever unit 38, which is fixed to shaft 33 for movement therewith both rotativeand longitudinal. Shaf t 133, as will be noted extends parallel .to thetraclgj? and is mounted in bearings 39 on the frame for rotation and axial displacement. As. am ans. of re iproca nel he shafit 3 I;.the. is

operatively connected theretoa lever .4 l pivoted tola cross, bar 42 1:311 the. rear, of the frlame and arranged. to. beimoved "inone. direction .by means of, arcam. 63 fixed-ona=shaft M randnengaging; a follower roller dacarriedby-tthe .lever. Shaft 44 is power drivenw andvis ;hereshown,ioperatively.

attached": to tire -lever and arranged to' abutagainst one of a set of collars 49 secured on the shaft 33, the collars being adjustably or removably positioned on the shaft in order to vary the effective length of the stroke of the shaft for accommodating the conveying means to different sizes of containers.

For effecting the transverse oscillation of the rail 36, the lever 38 is operatively connected by means of a connecting rod 5| to a crank arm 52 fixed to the power driven shaft 44, the action of the crank being utilized to move the'rail transverse1y back from the track while a spring 53 is utilized to urge the rail to advance inward on the track. As will be clear from Figures 2, 5 and 6, lever 38 is in effect a unit provided with a series of upper arms 54 and a lower arm 56, the arms 54 carrying the rail 36 while the arm 56 is arranged for cooperation with rod 5|. The latter extending through an opening 5'! in arm 56 and has adjustably secured thereon a collar 58 which is positioned to contact the arm and move the lever to retracted position on the forward movement of the crank 52. Spring 53 as shown in Figure 2, is attached at its opposite ends to the arm 56 and a stud 59 fixed to the rod and positioned thereon inwardly of collar 53. As will be clear, on rearward movement ofthe crank, rod 5| will be retracted, thereby extending spring 53 and causing the rail 36 to move to advance position under pull of the spring. Inward movement of the rail is preferably limited by engagement of an upper arm 6| of lever 38 with a thrust surface 62 forming part of the angle-iron member 63 of the main frame.

The relationship in the timing of the means for effecting longitudinal reciprocation of rail 36 including fingers 31, with respect to the means for effecting the transverse oscillation of such parts, is such that the latter movement will be predominant only near the beginning and ending of the recovery stroke of the reciprocating motion, or in other words when the speed of the latter movement is near its minimum. Accordingly as will be clear from Figure 5, when the lever 4| has been moved to advance the fingers to the most forward longitudinal position on the track, the crank 52 which as viewed in the figure rotates clockwise, has advanced midway of its forward stroke, and in order to avoid communicating the advance movement of the rod to the lever 38 until the aforesaid advance movement of the fingers has been completed, the collar 58 is set back on the rod so that contact will not be made with the lever unitl the longitudinal for- Ward positioning of the lever is reached. In the same way, on the recovery movement of the rod, the collar will become released from lever 38 as the longitudinal forward stroke of the fingers is commenced. Furthermore in order to maintain the fingers in transversely advanced position throughout the forward longitudinal stroke, the operative relationship of the spring 53 is made such as to cause a tension to be maintained on lever 38 at all times and thus cause the arm 6| to engage surface 62 throughout said stroke. It

track by the time the forward longitudinal stroke of the rail and fingers is commenced. Throughout the forward stroke, the fingers remain behind the bodies and convey all of the bodies a full position ahead, the bodies beneath the filling and capping mechanisms being likewise advanced and succeeding bodies positioned in operative relation with the mechanisms in place of the displaced bodies. As the bodies reach the end of the intermittent advance movement, the rail and fingers are retracted and the longitudinal recovery movement is initiated. With the bodies now in stationary position, the filling and capping operations may be performed, the recovery movement continuing until near the end of the stroke, when the said operations will have been completed and the rail and fingers moved into engagement with the next bodies. It will thus be evident that an effective conveyance of the bodies to the filling and capping mechanisms will be provided, and with a mode of operation which insures against crushing of the bodies and displacement thereof from proper positioning on the track and in relation to said mechanisms.

Means are provided for preventing the advance of the bodies on the track in case several bodies are accidentally deposited by the dispenser in nested relation on the track. As here shown the foregoing is simply effected by securing the first finger 3! in pivotal attachment with the rail 35, a very light spring 64 being connected between the rail and finger to normally hold the finger in extended relation similar to the rest of the fingers 37. Should the multiple-body deposit be made, the finger 3'! will be unable to push the bodies ahead and thus prevent delivery of same to the mechanisms.

The filling mechanism I! may be of any suitable type, but with the discharge opening 65 will thus be seen as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4, that the movement of the rail and fingers will be along a straight path during the body advancing stroke, and in a semi-elliptical path during the recovery stroke.

Operation of the conveyor system will now be clear. As the bodies are deposited by the dispenser, the rail 35 and fingers will move into engagement with bodies on the track, the fingers being advanced to full forward position over the thereof positioned to deliver the contents to the bodies when the latter are delivered in operative relation thereto on the track. As here shown the mechanism includes a cylinder 51 associated with a plunger 68 which serves to alternately draw into the cylinder and discharge therefrom a measured charge of the substance with which the bodies are being filled. The plunger is reciprocated by means of a scotch yoke 69, engaging with a pin ll carried by disc 12 affixed to the power shaft M. Control of the intake and discharge of the material in the cylinder is efiected by means of a rotary valve 13, to which is connected a crank l4, arranged to be oscillated in timed relation with the plunger 68 by means of a lever "l5 rocked by a cam Tl formed on disc 12. In order to prevent the material being fed to the cylinder or discharged therefrom in case no body is disposed in operative relation to the filler mechanism, means are provided for preventing the rocking of lever 16 and consequent oscillation of the valve 73. As will be clear from Figure 2, the lever is arranged to be maintained in engagement with the cam H by means of a spring 18, and a detent device is provided which will normally hold the lever in inoperative position for actuation by cam ll except when a body is disposed in operative relation under the discharge outlet 66. Mounted on the frame adjacent the connection between lever l6 and crank 14 and for pivotal movement about a vertical pin Z9 is a detent arm 8! which may be moved into and out of position under a projection 82 on lever l6. Secured for movement with the arm 8! is a deflector arm 83, which is normally resiliently held by means of a spring 84 in a position with a portion 86 thereof in the path of the containers 7* heirach A w libeo lear om i u n. "which the parts are-positioned as when a con-- tainer is absentfrom under the outlet 65, with the arm 83 extended the detent arm 81 will be disposed in inward relationin position to engage pin 82. Lever 1e engagescam 11 through a follower roller 81, and when the roller'is-engaged with the protruding portion 88 of the cam the projection 82 willbe positioned above the level of arm v8 1 so that when the rollerisengagedwi-th the cam portion 88 and no container is present to deflect the arm 83 to inward position the detent 8! will move under the projection '82 and thereby prevent operation of the filling mechanism until such time as a container body is moved. into operative relation under the outlet 69, so as to receivethe contents therefrom.

The capping mechanism 18 as previously ex.- plained, is located beyond the filling mechanism H, and is provided with a capper head or unit 89, which is positioned in overlyingrelation with thetrack and spaced thereabove similar to the outlet 6'5 of the filling unit so that the container bodies may move thereunder into and out of operative relation therewith. As will be clear from Figures 3 and 4, the capper head is removed from the filler dispensing unit or cylinder a distance equal to twice the spacing between centers of adjacent bodies so that when the bodies are moved over the track by the successive, intermittent progressions of the fingers, the filled bodies passing from the mechanism H will be subsequently delivered to the capper in proper position, and whereby afilling and can-ping operation may take place simultaneously but on different bodies.

The capper mechanism, in the present embodiment, includes, in addition to the capper unit 89 a means 9| for dispensing closure caps for the bodies and for delivering same to the capper head for application to the bodies when moved thereunder. The caps as here shown are in the form of flat discs 92 made of pasteboard or the like and while of thicker material than the walls of the container bodies, possess in common with such walls an appreciable amountof flexibility. The cap dispenser means includesv a set of posts 93 mounted on the top 2| adjacent the track and designed to hold a plurality of the caps in vertically stacked relation and in horizontal position. Two of the posts 93 are preferably supported on an adjustable mounting plate 94 so thatthe dispenser may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes or designs of caps. Positioned on the table and guided between rails 95 for movement to and from the capper head 89 is a reciprocating slide 96 which is designed to underlie the caps between the posts 93 and to convey the lowermost cap therein to operative position within the head. The slide is formed with portions 91 and 98 having their upper surfaces preferably flat and of different heights, the portion 91 with the lower surface being disposed at the forward part of the slide while the portion 93 with the upper surface is located longitudinally inward of the lower portion. Por tion 98 is here shown formed. of opposed strips with a space therebetween so as to clearone of the posts 93 of the cap stack holder duringv reciprocation of the slide. As will be -seen by reference-to Figure ,8, when the slide isv in fully retracted position as indicated in solid lines, the lower portion 91 will completely underliethe stack of caps in the holderand provide, a. full support or seat for-the lowermost, cap; Like;

-.ad vance stroke of, the conveyor has been. .,com-.

in horizontal alignment and operative engage- :l ment with the rear edge of said lowermost cap.

Portion 98 is arranged to extend no higher than the .upper surface of the cap and therefor when the slide is advanced, only such lowermost'cap will be engagedand caused to be moved out ;to the head; however, during the period the slide is outof retractedposition, portion 98 will ride under. and support the succeeding cap. As soon-,

of course, asthe slide delivers the cap: on-portion 9'! and is returned to fully retracted posi-.-

tionthe cap previously supported on portion 98 isv deposited upon and supported exclusively bythe portion- 91.

As a means of reciprocating the slide,- the;

latter is connected by means of a link- Hll to; a.

lever I 112 pivotally secured by a pin N33 to the I02 is provided a.fol=-- top 21. On the lever lower roller I94 designed to engage a rotating cam H16 carried by motor driven shaft 44 and by means of which the lever is drawn to move the slide to retracted position. Movement of the lever in the reverse direction so as to advance the slide is efiected by 'spring I01, and as shown in Figure 3, the cam is shaped to provide fora relatively short interval for accomplishment of ing delivered to or operatively disposed under the head. Such means is in the form of a detent device somewhat similar to the arrangement shown in connectionwith the filler mechanism but with the addition-that release of the device forpermitting operation of the slide and delivery of a cap requires that acontainerbody be in position on the track for delivery to the cappermehcanism on initiation of the forward stroke of the conveyor. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, such device includes a detent lever I05 pivotally mounted at the front-of the frame by means of-a pin IBBfiXed to both arms I99 and Illl of the lever. slide 96 and may bemovedon rocking the lever to lie in or out of the-path-of a stop H2 fixed to the slide; as the slide is advanced on its forward stroke; Awill be evident if the'arm is'opposite the stop forward movement of the slide will be prevented since spring I01 will be unable to move lever I 02, Arm N0 of the detent lever is positioned to normally lie, under infiuence of a spring'll3; both in the space arranged for occupation by a filled body whenoperatively disposed under the capper head and in the space occupied-by a filled body on the trackwhen the conveyor starts on the advance stroke. which will move the body in the space under the head. With no body in both of said spacesand a body is positioned in the spaces preceding I thecapper, arm H0 will be defiectedby-thebody therein and the slide will be free to advance.

In connection with the, above, it may be noted that the .cam I96 is arranged in such relation to the conveyor movement that the advance,

movement of the slide will be initiated after the Arm lfl9 extends under the- V in proper position.

mended, thus aifording the detent a sufilcient opportunity for clearing the stop H2 as long as a container is in the space preceding the head.

The capper head 89 is carried by a bracket H I which is secured to the upper end of, and arranged for vertical reciprocal movement with, a spindle H6 mounted in suitable bearings on the frame 20. As here shown, the head comprises a plurality of plunger members, to Wit, an inner member H1, an intermediate member H8 and an outer member I I9. The inner and outer members, as will be clear from Figure 13, are carried by the intermediate member, the latter being vertically adjustably secured in a sleeve I2I forming part of the bracket H4. Outer member H9, which is formed hollow, is designed on depression of the head to engage and center the body under the head and is provided with an open end I22 at the bottom thereof, in which the upper portion of the sidewalls of the container bodies are arranged to be received. In order to center the body in position the inner surface I23 of the end I22 is flared outwardly, and such surface terminates at its inner end in recess I24 in which the upper edge or rim of the container body is designed to seat when the body has been centered The outer member in the depressed position of the head will be held in engagement with the body due to the weight of the member, since the member is free to move upwardly on the intermediate member H8. Members H1 and H8 are provided with transversely enlarged portions I26 and I 21 respectively, and in the elevated position of the head such portions will be disposed within the member H9 adjacent the inner end of the hollow interior portion thereof. Formed in the side wall of member I I9 opposite the capdispenser holder 9| is an opening I28 through which in the elevated position of the head, slide 96 together with a cap thereon, may be moved into the member H9 to deliver the cap thereinto. As will be clear from Figure 8, the cap is delivered by the slide into the member H9 at a point below the enlargements I26 and I21, and in order that the cap will be supported within the member I I9 when the slide iswithdrawn, a pair of opposed spring clips I29 are provided at the transverse ends of the opening I28, the clips being designed to resiliently engage diametrically opposed points at the periphery of the cap.

After a body is positioned under the head and the cap supported in the spring clips I29 as above set forth, the head will be caused, in the operation of the machine, to move downward toward the body, as a result of which the enlargement or plunger I26 of the inner member will engage the cap in the springs and release same therefrom, the plunger I26 being permitted a limited longitudinal movement relative to the intermediate member, and normally maintained in extended, depressed position by means of a spring I30 interposed between shoulders on the members H8 and H1. Within the member H9 adjacent the annular recess I24 is a pair of diametrically opposed shoulders I3I protruding sufficiently inward to lie in the path of the cap when the latter is released from the springs I29 and allowed to descend toward the body. It will thus be clear that on release of the cap from the springs I29 the former will be deposited on the shoulders I3I and thereby interrupt the fall of the cap, the shoulders being preferably segmental in form so as to firmly support the cap in horizontal position thereon. As said movement continues, the

10 outer member I I9 lowers upon the container body and the surfaces I23 engage with the rim thereof to center the body in position, until the rim becomes engaged within the groove I24 so that the body will be firmly held by the member upon the track in proper centered relation. Meanwhile, the descending plunger has followed its resiliently pressed engagement with the cap so that while the cap remains supported on the shoulders I3I a downwardly extending flexure will be produced in the cap.

In the type of container illustrated, the closure is arranged to be effected by insertion of the periphery of the cap in an annular groove I32 provided on the inner surface of the sidewalls of the body adjacent but spaced from the rim at the open side of the container. As the circumference of the cap is greater than the inner surface of the body walls at the open side of the groove, it will be evident that in order to insert the cap in the groove either or both the cap and body will have to be flexed or otherwise distorted during the insertion operation. In accordance with the above, the means of the present invention is designed to eifect the temporary fiexure of the cap, whereby the latter may be easily inserted in the groove without danger of deforming any of the portions of the container including the cap or impairing the desired firm fit and seal of the cap with the body. As will be clear from Figure 13, the underside of the plunger I26 is formed with a diametrical ridge I33 which extends perpendicular to an imaginary line passing through the diametrically opposed shoulders I3 I, the semicircular areas I34 at the opposite sides of the ridge being sloped divergently upward and outward from the ridge I33 to the opposing peripheral portions I35 of the plunger. It will thus be seen that upon thecontinued depression of the plunger while the cap is seated upon the shoulders I3I or otherwise similarly held against movement with the plunger, the cap will be flexed on and about the line of the ridge I33 as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. As will beevident, with the cap flexed in the above manner and moved downwardly into engagement with the sidewalls of the body, the peripheral portions of the cap at the ends of the central line of fiexure will readily spread the side walls of the body sufficient to permit the insertion of such cap portions in the groove.

As a means of limiting the downward movement of the cap into the body, in other words, to insure the retention of the cap within the groove, there are fixed to the plunger a pair of opposed projections I31 which are positioned to engage the rim of the container as illustrated in Figure 12, when the plunger has depressed the peripheral cap portions in the groove. Desirably at least one of the projections I31 is engaged in a longitudinally extending guide slot I38 in the side wall of the member H9 so as to maintain the plunger with the ridge I 33 in the proper relation to the shoulders I3I. I

As will be seen from Figure 15, the inclination of the areas I38 is such as to cause the cap portions I39 adjacent the shoulders to move downwardly beyond the shoulders when the aforesaid portions at the ends of the central line of flexure are inserted into the groove thus avoiding excessive deflection of the cap. In order to move the portions I39 into the groove, as well as the other portions of the periphery of the cap still out of the groove, means are provided on the portion. I21 of the intermediate member for estates p ef erablyfengagirig the entire upperfside of the ap "near the periphery as soon as the plunger f'IZB has reached its lowest-position. 'Asshownin '1 Figure 13, such means includes aring orf'a'nnul'us I'M "extending downwardly from the'portion I21 iand interposed between the edge of the plunger "ahd jthe inner wallof the member 'I I9. v

When the plunger I2dhas reached the lower- :m'bst position, intermediate member I I8 will be caused, on "the final portion of the descending stroke of the headyto move downwardly relaev -t plunger I26 against the resistance of spring I3d,anu thusuorcethe unseated periph- 'fer'al 'portions'of the'cap to move into the desired fseating engagement in the groove. With all *portiofisof the cap periphery fully'seated' in the l'groove, both the cap and body arerestored to their f 'origin'al form "and firmly isecured together jin'seal tight engagement. 'It 18111113011311? tonote -fthat'with'the method and means or the present invention Ior applymgthe cap to the body,air'is 'permitted'to vent from the interior of th'e'body jpractl'caliy until the cap is in "final position in "the'gr'oove. "In'this manner not only will-the cap applying 'operat onbe"performed mor'eread- 'filyfbut thecontents will not be disturbed'during :'the operation or sealed in with excess air'or air under pressure. "Downward movement of the annulusllll "is 'limitedpy 'enga'gement of the por- "tionTZI withtheproj'ections 'I3I,'thus insuring the proper insertion of 'thecap into the groove. Preferably relative rotation between 'members "'I l'8'and H9 is prevented by'means'of "astud I42 fixed jto member II 8 and extending through an "openingin "the member I l 9.

'"In"order'to provide for ready replacement of the" capping [units for different sizes of'container bodies, the shank I 13 "of 'theintermediate mem- -ber ;is threaded and engagedby a hand wheel I14 by 'whichthe"member'isclamped in-positionat the'sleeve I2I. v

fMea'nsare provided for 'e'fiecting the reciprocatiorffof thecapper head in timed relationto the conveyor mechanism sothatthe capping operation wilrbecompletely performed during the re- 'covery of "the "conveyormeans, "in 'other words, while the body to be capped is"in"stationary"positionunder the head. Pivotally inountedpna member Ii'4 6o'f theframe is'a lever M'L the free end 'of which is loosely engaged "around the spindle IIB, and engaged upon a' col1ar t48 carriedf by the, spindle. The spindle'dsfnormally urgedto an'elevated position'by meansof a' spring I49, andin "order to depress *thelever-jso' as 'to 'efiect a descension'ofthe spindle the lever isfioperatively associated with a'cam I51 fixe'cl'tothe power, driven shaft 44 and designed 'toengage a rolle'r'l52 on the lever. 'As willbe'un'derstood, the "cam is formed and positionedto'fdepress the roller after a cap has been inserted in'the head 'and to permit elevation of the'h dunder force oflspring' I49 after the c a'p has beenloperatively applied to the body. As a means ofvarying the depth and duration of the stroke bf the capper 'headadjustmentis provided for raisingand low- 'e'ri'ng the collar I48 so as to vary the position of the-roller and leverrelative'to the cam. Asrhere fshownfsuch adjustment is effected by ineansof a threade'd hand wheel I53 vertically adjustable I an a threadedcollar I54 and engagingthe collar Collar I54 is fixed to the spindleandfis guided for longitudinal movement but held agai s rotation by means of a rod I 56 extending ffro t eico er n n g n ca id "I51. As will be evident, by rotating'wheel I53 Ethe position or lever I41 may-be changed "with respect to cam NH, and thus-provide for the desired variation inoperation. Preferably a rod I58 is secured to collar I48 andengagedinguide I51 to prevent rotation of the collar.

'If desired, there may be incorporated with'the machine, a means operating in conjunction with mechanism thereof, for printing on the container, for example the date upon which the container has beenfilled and capped. In the'present embodiment, a printing means is provided on the machine and arranged-for operation with the capper mechanism, and'preferably the printing means is designed to apply the imprint'on the under side of the container body as the capper head is moved into engagement with the body. As shown in the drawings, the'means comprises a lever 'IBI carrying the type I62, the impression of which is to be applied to the body, and a'lever I63carrying the pad ltd for applying ink to the type. l'he levers are positioned under the conveyor track and fulcrumed to the frame on parallel pivot pins'IEB and H51. Lever Ifil includes 'a pair of arms I68 and I69, the arm I38 having releasably mounted thereon the type member I62 while the arm I69 isoperatively connected to the cam operated lever I l! by means of a link-rod 'I'II connecte'dto an extension l'i2 of lever I41.

Rod I'II is loosely engaged in arm I69, and is provided with ahea'd I13 which serves to lower the arm and thus raise type member I62 into engagement with the body on descension of the capper. In the inoperative position of lever H51, lever I63 holds the pad lfid'incontact with the printing face of member I62, but when arm J68 israis'ed lever I63 willbe tilted backward to disengage'the'p'ad'from member I62, lever I63 remaining in'suchposition until a'proj'ection I'M on lever I6! strikes lever I63 onthe return movement of'lever I6I.

In operation the machine functions as follows:

As each body is deposited on'the track by the dispenser I6, rail '36 "with fingers 37 moves all of the'bodies on the track a distance sufficient to advance each body to the'position occupied by the body ahead. such movement, 'a' filled'body will move out of operative relation with the filler unit and another will move outofoperativ'e relation with the capper, while succeeding bodies will move to engagementwiththe filler and capper As abody moves into 'operative relation "under thefiller discharge openingand t-he'end of the forward stroke of thefconveyor is reached, detent arm 81 will have released l ever 'lfiso that 'valve 13 may be moved to'communicate with the discharge outlet.' After the; recovery stroke of the conveyor has started sothat the bod ists tationary under the filler, the plunger 68 is advancedto expres s the charge from the f ller cylinder to within the bodyand the filled body is then ready for transfer to the'capper. jAs theadvance movementofth'e conveyor is again initiated, the body 'underthe fifiller isjmoved forward into the inter In this manner, as a result of 13 leave it for the performance of the capping operation. With the body thus disposed, cam will depress lever E41, thereby causing the members of the capper head to engage the body and apply the cap in the manner described. At the same time the. capping operation is being completed, the dater mechanism is actuated to imprint the date on the container bottom, and with the container thus filled, capped, and dated, the capper head is retracted and the conveyor upon the succeeding advance stroke moves the container out from under the headfor disposal as desired.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, including a track for supporting container bodies with an open side uppermost, and means associated with the track for advancing the containers one at a time thereon to operative positioning with said unit and for interrupting the movement of the bod when in such position, a capping mechanism at said track comprising a cap dispensing means including a holder for supporting and maintaining a plurality of caps in vertically stacked relation, a cap depositing and applying unit positioned transversely Of said'holder and over said track and spaced vertically therefrom to permit the operative positioning of a body between the track and unit, resilient means in said unit for receiving and supporting a cap in said unit for deposit on a body thereunder, a reciprocating pusher bar positioned to engage one of the caps in said holder and move it into operative position in said resilient receiving means, said unit also including a vertically movable member depressible to engage and hold the container and operative on depression thereof to release the cap from the resilient supporting means and force it into closing engagement with the container body.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a support for a container body, a capping mechanism for the body comprising a cap depressing unit positioned in vertically spaced relation over said support to permit reception of a body therebetween and including a vertically movable member formed to receive and resiliently hold a cap for positioning on the body and having body engaging portions arranged on descent of the member to center and retain the body on the support in operativerelation to the mechanism, a plunger movable vertically relative to said holding member positioned to overlie the cap in said member when received therein and operative on descension to release the cap and press it into operative engagement with the body.

3. In a machine of the character described, including a support for a container body, and means for conveying caps for said body from a stack one at a time and positioning same in operative relation on the cap supporting parts, a capping mechanism for the body including a unit posi tioned over the sup-port and spaced therefrom to permit of the body being inserted therebetween, a cap receiving and body centering member have ing first portions for supporting the cap substantially along the edges thereof in spaced aligned relation over the body and second portions engageable with the body adjacent the top there of to center and hold the same in operative relation to the mechanism, a plunger mounted within the member for vertical movement relative there to positioned to overlie the cap in an elevated position and to release the cap and press it into operative engagement with the container when in a depressed position, and cap dispensing means ment with the body, a cap dispenser mechanism including means for supporting a plurality of caps in vertically stacked relation with the lowermost cap opposite the cap supporting means of the capping mechanism, a horizontally movable slide member having a portion arranged to engage the lowermost cap in said stack and move it into operative relation with the supporting means of the cap mechanism, said supporting means being vertically movable with said cap displacing means and including resilient members adapted to engage a cap at a plurality of points on the edge thereof, .means to raise and lower said cap depressing means, means to reciprocate said slide member in alternate relation with said cap depressing means including a power actuated member operatively connected to said slide mem her to intermittently move same.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 4 characterized by means for preventing the movement of the slide member to advanced position except when a body is positioned upon the support under the capping mechanism, said means including a detent normally having a portion operatively engaging a relatively fixed part of said member so as to lock the member against advance movement, and having a portion displaceable by the body when positioned under the capping mechanism and operative when in displaced position to move the first portion to release the slide.

6-. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a support for a container body to be capped, a capping unit including a part arranged for positioning over the support With the body therebetween, means engageable with the container body to center and hold same in operative relation with the unit and with the open side uppermost, means to support a cap in the unit substantially exclusively at opposed edge portions thereof and substantially at the open side of the body, a plunger included in said unit part formed to flex the cap when supported as aforesaid from one side to the other about an axis at right angles to the axis of the container body and a line intersecting the cap supporting means and to press the cap in such form into operative engagement with the body, and means to press the peripheral portions of the cap into coplanar relationship in operative engagement with the body.

7. In a capper mechanism for flexible walled container bodies and closure caps, a supporting and holding means for a container body, cap deforming means, one of said means movable relative to the other, said holding means providing for support of the cap over the open side of the body substantially exclusively at diametrically opposite points of the cap, said deforming means formed and operative on movement of the one means relative to the other to engage and flex the cap along a line at right angles to a line intersecting said points and to press the peripheral portions of the cap at the end of the line of fiexssesses ure into operative engagement with the bedy',:ana' means to press intocoplanar relationship and into operative 'engagementwith the body the remaining peripheral portions of the cap.

-8."=In a capper'mechanism for flexiblewalled container 'bodies and closure caps, means for supporting an open'body in. position for receiving I a cap, means providing asupport for the cap over the body opening substantially exclusively at diametrical points adjacent the periphery of the "cap, means movable relative to one of the first mentioned means formed to engage-the cap and flex it substantially entirelyacross the cap about a line at 'right'angles toa line intersecting said points and topress'the peripheral cap portions along theline of fiexureiinto operative engage- 'ment'with the container in advance of the other peripheral portions of the cap, and means operative to press into coplanar relationship and into operative engagement with the body'the said other peripheral portions of the cap.

9. In a capper mechanism for flexible walled container bodies and closure caps, means for supporting a body withan open side at the top and in position to receive a cap, means providin a support for the cap in position above the opening, means operative to engage the cap in said position to'flex same abouta line intersecting opposed peripheral portions and with the-convex side facing the body, and means operative to engage the cap-infiexed position to restore all'peripheral portions of the cap in coplanar relation andin operative engagement with the containerbody.

10. In a copper mechanismfor flexible walled substantially cylindrical container bodies and flexible circular closure caps, the wallsof'the bodies having a peripheral groove on the inner side near the open side of the body, means for supporting a body with the open side in-positionto receive a cap, means providing a support for the cap in position'abovethe opening in the body, means operativeto engage the cap when-in said position to flex same downwardly on a diametrical line from one circumferential pointto the other and to press the -flexed cap intothe body with the circumferentialportions at said points seated in the groove, and means to depress other circumferential portions ofsaid cap into coplanar relation with the capportionsin the groove-and to insert in'the' groovesaid last named circumferential-portions of the cap.

11. In a capper-mechanism for flexible-walled, substantially cylindrical walled container bodies and flexible circular closure caps, the walls of the bodieshaving an annular groove on the-inner side near the open side of thebody, a means-for supportingthebody with-the open side-at the=top,

a depressible member movable toward the Supporting means and having an annular portion engageable with the rim of the body tocenter and hold the body in position, diametrically opposed rests on said-member located-inwardly of the rim engagingportion and providing-a seat above the groove for engagement with th under --ward1y and -diamtrically, "meafisto depress th plunger to position the opposedcircumferential fie xedportions in the' groove, and a second plu'n- 'ger in said member arranged for positioningabove thecap and depressible to in the'last mentioned position of the cap'to force the remaining-circumferential portions of the cap downwardly and into the groove.

12." In a capper mechanism for flexible-walled, substantially cylindrical container bodies andcircular flexible closure caps therefor; a means'for supporting the containers with an openusidevat the top, a capper unit positioned above theis'upporting 'means' to permit of the container body being interposed 'therebetween and including an intermediate member xassociated with means" 'for vertically reciprocating "same, an outer member carried by said 'intermediate member for vertical "reciprocation 'thereon' and providedat the bottom'with a ring formed to engage the bodyan'd centersame in operation'relative to the unit'and having provided therein a groove positioned and formed "to receive the'rim of the body, an'inner member carried'by the intermediate member' for Vertical reciprocative movement relative thereto and the'outer member, means resiliently holding the inner'meinber in an-advanced depressed position relativeto the intermediate member,"said inner member having as its" lower part a disc designed'to fit'within said ring'and provided with opposing halves'at its under side sloping divergently toward and mergingv in a diametrical ridge, opposed cap supporting se'ats' within said outer member above the body engaging portion thereof and "disposed *along" a diametrical line at ri-ght angles tosai'd ridge, said intermediate member having at the lower part thereof an annulus'de- "signedto surround said disc and engage the'cap,

said disc and annulus normally lying above said shoulders, 'and' saidouter member being provided with an open portion above said shoulders-for the-introduction of a cap within 'themember.

13. The method bicapping with 'a' flexiblewalled disc a substantially cylindrical container body provided with'flaring flexible side "walls formed with an annular groove below therim of the body, the circumference of the disc'being greater than the normal circumference of' the body at the'upper edge of the groove, which coin- U prises flexing the disc about a diametrical line body with the convex side in advance anduntil theperipheral portions of the disc at both ends of and inserting the disc while so'fieX'ed into the the'line of flexure' are inserted inthe groove, and then forcing into the groove the remainder of-the peripheral portions of the disc progressively from said ends 'to the portions mediately of such ends.

ANDREWEJLINDSTROM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the file of this-patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 9014420 Chamberlain Oct. 20,1908 1,111,973 Scholl et a1 Sept. 29, 1914 1,260,220 'Lu-ndeen Mar. 19,1918 1,804,772 Hubbard May 12, '1931 1,939,401 McClatche Oct. 12, 1933 1,989,036 Geyer Janl22, 1935 2,125,821 Sibley Aug. 2, 1938 2 264 3138 Bla'rin -.-.:.1 "'Deckz; 

